Gate latch



H. WILBURN Aliil 3 0, 1929.

GATE LATCH Filed De@ "28, A192e Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED, STATES ignara PATENT oFF1cE.

HERBERT'WILBURN, OF OTWAY, OHIO.

GATE LATCH.

Application led December 28, 1926. Serial No. 157,532.

The present invention is an improvement in latch mechanisms and relates more especially to automaticv fastening devices for gates and the like.

A `further object of the invention is the provision of a latch mechanism which -may be conveniently operated to release the gate when desired.

A still `further object of the invention is the provision of a latch structure which is of exceedingly simple design, durable, and efficient in operation. v

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a latch mechanism which can be manufactured at a relatively low cost and readily installed upon the standard forms of gate structures.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the f same:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved latch mechanism shown in operative position in association with a gate and fence post,

F igure 2 is a side elevational view of the same, 'y

Figure 3 yis an enlarged transverse sectional viewT on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,-

Figure l is a perspective view of one of the latch elements, and

Figure 5 is a perspective View of a complementary latch element. Y Y

Referring to the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral indicates a fragmentary portion of a common type of fence post normally arranged in a vertical position, and shown in association therewith is a vertical bar 11 forming the outer free end of a gate of the ordinary swinging kind.

The primary feature of my invention is the production of a latch mechanism which may be readily applied to a gate for automatically engaging a keeper 12 secured to the n fence post 1() and comprising an attaching plate 13 with a pair of projecting lugs 14 beveled at one side as shown.

lith particular reference to the construction of my improved latch mechanism, the numeral 15 indicatesthe supporting bracket element consisting of a longitudinal plate 16v curved transversely to conform to the curvature of the gate bar 11 and formed with apertures 17 by which it is secured to the gate. The upper end oi' the bracket 15 is formed with vlaterally extending ears 18 havingy vertrcally elongated vslots 19 formed therein, and thelower end is provided with a pair of angular bearing flanges 20 presenting torwardlyextending horizontal bearing arms 21 formed with transversely aligned pintlc openings 22. This bracket is firmly secured upon the gate by means of screws or bolts passed through the apertures 17 into the gate ar. l

A complementary latch element 23 is pivoted to the supporting bracket 15, this coniplementary element comprising a tongue 23 disposed outwardly from the bar atthe end of the gate. The tongue is in the form of an elongated plate 24 disposed in a vertical position and curved inwardly at its lower end from which project a pair of arcuate bearing arms having pintle apertures 26 at their outer ends.

Rigidly secured adjacent the upper end of the tongue plate 24 and projecting laterally therefrom is a substantially U-shaped actuatingframe 27, the transverse bar 28 of which is apertured for connection with the plate or tongue while the parallel members present horizontal side arms 29. Secured to the outer ends of the arms 29 and projecting laterally therefrom are a pair oit handles 30 arranged for convenient engagement in swinging the tongue on its pivotal connection.

The lower extremities of the bracket member 15 and tongue section 23 are pivotally connected by means of la transverse bearing pin Sliextending through the openings 22 and 26 in the latch elements and secured against transverse displacement. A coiled spring is wound about the bearing pin 31, as indicated at 32, the centre of the spring 32 being formed with a U-shaped projection 33 bearing against the curved plate of thebracket element while the ends are extended against the bearing arms 25 of the tongue and secured thereto. This spring is formed so as to normally urge the tongue 23 to an outward rposition away from the supporting bracket on the gate bar.

In use, the latch mechanism is rigidly secured upon the end bar of a gate, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2 with the side arms 2,9 of the tongue actuating frame 27 projecting horizontally through the slots 19 formed in the bracket ears 18. The tongue 28 is resiliently urged away from the bracket plate 16 on the gate bar by the coiled spring at the pivot end of said tongue, the outward movement being limited by the laterally projecting handle members 30 at the outer ends ot the Ushaped operating member ot said tongue. Thus it will be noted that the gate may be automatically fastened by imparting a swinging movement thereto, causing the latch mechanism to automatically engage the lugs on the keeper member 12 attached to the gate post. The gate is hingedly supported in the Vusual manner so as to normally` swing` past the keeper lugs 1/1, the spring actuated pivoted tongue being then torccdinwardly towards the gate structure and abruptly released to engage the right angular edges of the lugs. This will prevent the gate from swinging in return movement and maintain the same in fastened position until the tongue is disengaged from the lugs by swinging it inwardly toward the gate bar to clear the lugs 14 on the gate post.

It is to be understood that the torni ot my inven-tion herewith sho-wn and described is to be taken as the preferred example ot the same, and that various changes as to the shape, size, and arrangen-ient et parts may bc resorted to withoutdeparting trom the spirit ot the invention or the scope et the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, l claim:

1. A latch for gates comprising a supporting bracketA for attachment to the gate, a pair of apertured ears formed at the upper end of the bracket, a pair of bearing flanges formed at the lower end of the bracket, a tongue formed vwith bearing arms its lou-'er end, meansfor pivotally connecting the said bearing armsand flanges for swinging connection o t the tongue `to the bracket, spring means adapted to normally urge the tongue to an outwardly projectedfposition, and a frame rigidly secured adjacent the upper end ot' the tongue having lside arms extending through the apertured ears formed on the supporting bracket and adapted to permit swinging movement ot the tongue against the action ot the spring.

2. In combination with a tence post, a keeper secured to the tence post, and a gate supported tor swinging movement adjacent the fence post, a latch mechanism including a supporting bracket for attachment to the outer vertical rod ot the gate, laterally projecting apcrtured ears formed at the upper end or' the bracket, angular bearing flanges termed at the lower end ot the bracket, a tongue pivotally associated with the bracket and ha y'ing a pair ot bearing arms formed at the lower end thereof, a bearing pin extended through openings in the bearing arms and bearing flanges 'tor pivotal connection of the parts, a coiled spring wound about the bearing pin and adapted te normally urge the tongue to an outwardly disposed position, an actuating trame rigidly secured adjacent the upper end ot' the ton-gue and having arms extending through the openings iormed inthe bracket ears, and handles at the outer ends ot the frame 'for limiting the. outward movement of tue tongue and permitting swinging movement thereoil against the action o'lithe spring.

3. A latch for gates comprising a bracket for attachment to the gate, a pair oi aperturcd ears termed at the upper end ot the bracket, a tongue pivoted at its lower end to the lower end ot the bracket for swinging movement with respect thereto, and a pair of arms at the up 3er end of the tongue extending through the apertured ears ot the bracket tor guiding said tonguev and operating the same with relation to the bracket.

HERBERT WVILBURN. 

